In a new interview with the Dial Global-syndicated Jim Bohannon Radio Show, NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith discussed how Hurricane Sandy affected multiple issues currently facing radio. Smith told Bohannon that in the wake of Sandy, "it may take a few more disasters before Congress will approach the word 'mandate,'" when it comes to activating FM chips in mobile devices.

Smith said the issue has more to do with politicians fearing the word "mandate," in the wake of controversy surrounding health care reform. "It’s not that Congress isn’t capable of doing mandates when it’s in the public interest, it’s just that this issue has not risen to the level of alarm in the minds of members of Congress that they feel to mandate this," Smith added.

Smith also touched on the topic of cross-ownership rule changes, saying that the NAB doesn't think that "the rules should be totally eliminated. But we think the rules were developed in the days of I Love Lucy and are completely antiquated for the purposes of today's marketplace of information."